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April 2026

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Strengthening Connections Through Whakawhanaungatanga at Whangara Marae

On Tuesday 21st April our Intensive Services team spent the day at Whangara Marae alongside the Corrections team, strengthening connections through whakawhanaungatanga.

The day began with a fun and engaging identity activity led by Corrections, where each of us took on the name of a well-known person or tipuna from the Tairāwhiti region. Through asking questions and connecting with one another, we worked to discover our identities—sharing plenty of laughs along the way.

We were privileged to share in whakapapa and hear the pūrākau of Paikea and Ruatapu, grounding us in the history of Ngati Konohi. A beautiful kai brought everyone together for lunch, followed by more interactive activities as well as an introduction to rongoā, with the added bonus of taking some home.

The day provided a valuable opportunity to learn more about each other’s services, explore how we can better work collaboratively, and strengthen our relationships. It was a meaningful and uplifting experience, reminding us of the importance of coming together as we all work towards the same outcomes for the whānau we support.

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Ngā mihi nui to everyone involved for making it such a special day.

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